ASTM_D_6044_-_96_2015.pdf

Designation:D604496(Reapproved 2015)Standard Guide forRepresentative Sampling for Management of Waste andContaminated Media1This standard is issued under the fixed designation D6044;the number immediately following the designation indicates the year oforiginal adoption or,in the case of revision,the year of last revision.A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.Asuperscript epsilon()indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.1.Scope1.1 This guide covers the definition of representativeness inenvironmental sampling,identifies sources that can affectrepresentativeness(especially bias),and describes the attri-butes that a representative sample or a representative set ofsamples should possess.For convenience,the term“represen-tative sample”is used in this guide to denote both a represen-tative sample and a representative set of samples,unlessotherwise qualified in the text.1.2 This guide outlines a process by which a representativesample may be obtained from a population.The purpose of therepresentative sample is to provide information about a statis-tical parameter(s)(such as mean)of the population regardingsome characteristic(s)(such as concentration)of its constitu-ent(s)(such as lead).This process includes the followingstages:(1)minimization of sampling bias and optimization ofprecision while taking the physical samples,(2)minimizationof measurement bias and optimization of precision whenanalyzing the physical samples to obtain data,and(3)minimi-zation of statistical bias when making inference from thesample data to the population.While both bias and precisionare covered in this guide,major emphasis is given to biasreduction.1.3 This guide describes the attributes of a representativesample and presents a general methodology for obtainingrepresentative samples.It does not,however,provide specificor comprehensive sampling procedures.It is the users respon-sibility to ensure that proper and adequate procedures are used.1.4 The assessment of the representativeness of a sample isnot covered in this guide since it is not possible to ever knowthe true value of the population.1.5 Since the purpose of each sampling event is unique,thisguide does not attempt to give a step by step account of how todevelop a sampling design that results in the collection ofrepresentative samples.1.6 Appendix X1 contains two case studies,which discussthe factors for obtaining representative samples.1.7 This standard does not purport to address all of thesafety concerns,if any,associated with its use.It is theresponsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.2.Referenced Documents2.1 ASTM Standards:2D3370 Practices for Sampling Water from Closed ConduitsD4448 Guide for Sampling Ground-Water Monitoring WellsD4547 Guide for Sampling Waste and Soils for VolatileOrganic CompoundsD4700 Guide for Soil Sampling from the Vadose ZoneD4823 Guide for Core Sampling Submerged,Unconsoli-dated SedimentsD5088 Practice for Decontamination of Field EquipmentUsed at Waste SitesD5792 Practice for Generation of Environmental Data Re-lated to Waste Management Activities:Development ofData Quality ObjectivesD5956 Guide for Sampling Strategies for HeterogeneousWastesD6051 Guide for Composite Sampling and Field Subsam-pling for Environmental Waste Management Activities3.Terminology3.1 analytical unit,nthe actual amount of the samplematerial analyzed in the laboratory.3.2 bias,na systematic positive or negative deviation ofthe sample or estimated value from the true population value.3.2.1 DiscussionThis guide discusses three sources ofbiassampling bias,measurement bias,and statistical bias.There is a sampling bias when the value inherent in thephysical samples is systematically different from what isinherent in the population.1This guide is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D34 on WasteManagement and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D34.01.01 onPlanning for Sampling.Current edition approved Sept.1,2015.Published September 2015.Originallyapproved in 1996.Last previous edition approved in 2009 as D6044 96(2009).DOI:10.1520/D6044-96R15.2For referenced ASTM standards,visit the ASTM website,www.astm.org,orcontact ASTM Customer Service at serviceastm.org.For Annual Book of ASTMStandards volume information,refer to the standards Document Summary page onthe ASTM website.Copyright ASTM International,100 Barr Harbor Drive,PO Box C700,West Conshohocken,PA 19428-2959.United States1 There is a measurement bias when the measurement processproduces a sample value systematically different from thatinherent in the sample itself,although the physical sample isitself unbiased.Measurement bias can also include any sys-tematic difference between the original sample and the sampleanalyzed,when the analyzed sample may have been altereddue to improper procedures such as improper sample preser-vation or p